Non systematic telephone call in medical practice

Abstract

Non systematic telephone calls have not little relevance in Medicine. This paper intends to analyze the evaluation of hearing memory and assumptions in it, contributing to the validity and reliability of this kind of physician-patient relationship. A total of 27 students coursing the 4th and 5th years of the medical career (Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Rosario, Argentina) and participating in the Integral Formation Course of Human Resources in Histology and Embryology listened to the recording tape of a simulated medical phone consultation as they were physicians. This activity, ethically anonymous, voluntary and without evaluation process, implied the impossibility of taking notes or making consults during and after hearing the recording tape. Once finished, students answered questions related with: name (1) and age of the patient (2); surname of the mother’s patient (3), time of evolution of the medical profile (4); referred symptoms and signs (5); provided data about it (6); assumed diagnosis made by the consultant person (7) and demanded professional behaviour (8). Results were 40.7% of wrong and unanswered questions for (1); 7.4 % for (2); 100% for (3); 81.5% for (4); 44.5% for (5); 81.5% for (6); 48.1 for (7) y 26% for (8). A total of 53.7% of wrong and unanswered questions were revealed. We conclude that this kind of communication offers notorious biases on the validity and reliability of the explored items. Moreover, objections may be formulated not only for being absent the patient, but also for the possible legal implications derived from a medical malpractice. Undergraduate training in this topic is proposed.